Morphological Specifications of the Bird Schistosome Cercariae and Surface Carbohydrates as Receptors for Lectins

To determine the morphological specifications of the bird schistosomes cercaria from Lymnaea gedrosiana and to detect the surface carbohydrates as receptors for host lectins in the host-parasite relationship systems such as avian schistosomiasis and human cercarial dermatitis. One hundred ninety two snails collected from Dezful areas in Khuzestan Province, in the south west of Iran, during 2005-2006 were examined for cercariae using shedding and crushing methods. In addition, surface carbohydrates on the cercariae were detected by lentil (Lens culinaris) lectins. From the total number of Lymnaea gedrosiana, which examined for bird schistosomes cercaria, 9(4%) snails were found to be infected with furcocercus cercaria of the bird schistosomes (probably Gigantobilharzia sp.). Mannose monosaccharide CH2OH (CHOH)4CHO as surface carbohydrate was also detected on the cercariae. Mannose carbohydrate on these cercariae may be used as receptor by lectins.